Garment fastener

ABSTRACT

A FASTENER INTENDED TO REPLACE BUTTON-TYPE FASTENERS EMPLOYED AT INTERVALS ON A HEM IN THE FORM OF A RESILIENT MEMBER SUCH AS WIRE OR THE LIKE WHICH INCLUDES A LOOPTYPE TONGUE WITH TRANSFER LEADS EXTENDING FROM THE TONGUE INTO MOUNTING WINGS FOR MOUNTING THE FASTENER ON A HEM WITH THE TONGUE ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AN OVERLAPPING HEM TO RETAIN THE HEMS IN OVERLAPPING POSITION.

Dec. 7, 1971 R. T. KAHN 3,624,840

GARMENT FASTENER Filed Jan. 29, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 1.

RAYMOND T. KAHN INVENTOR.

R- T. KAHN GARMENT FASTENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 29, 1970 lfzvvh'zvy'oR. RAYMOND T. KAHN 3,624,840 GARMENT FASTENER Raymond T. Kahn, 1551 N. Rural St., Indianapolis, Ind. 46201 Filed Jan. 29, 1970, Ser. No. 6,810 Int. Cl. A4111 1/10 U.S. Cl. 2-128 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fastener intended to replace button-type fasteners employed at intervals on a hem in the form of a resilient member such as wire or the like which includes a looptype tongue with transfer leads extending from the tongue into mounting wings for mounting the fastener on a hem with the tongue adapted to engage an overlapping hem to retain the hems in overlapping position.

The present invention generally relates to garment fasteners and more particularly a tongue-type fastener associated with the hem of a garment for detachable engagement with an overlapping hem to enable the hems of the garment to be connected or disconnected by relative lateral movement between the overlapping hems with the fastener being attached to the underlying hem and including a tongue engaging in a pocket formed in an overlying hem thereby providing concealed fasteners that eliminates the necessity of forming buttonholes in a hem and attaching buttons by a stitching operation to a hem.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fastener that is primarily intended to be used instead of buttons. It is mounted similarly to buttons, that is, at intervals on a hem. It is mounted in the hem and eliminates the cutting of buttonholes inasmuch as the fastener fastens into the opposite hem of a garment instead of through it.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastener which may be readily applied to any garment fastening hem and may be used in various formal, dress, sport or other garments and particularly shirts to produce a garment adapted for directly mounting the fasteners without any further fastening assistance such as is required for buttons.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide fasteners preferably constructed of stainless steel wire or the like having substantial resilient qualities with the gauge of the wire being selected for the particular garment with which the fastener is to be associated. For example, a smaller wire can be used with shirts and other light garments while a heavier and stronger wire will be used to form fasteners for overcoats and the like. The fastener of the present invention since it eliminates buttons, the formation of buttonholes and the attachment of buttons by sewing, riveting or the like enables fasteners to be provided for the garment which are relatively simple in construction, easy to assemble with the garment and easy to utilize when the garment is being used.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the-details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like patrs throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates stitching for mounting fasteners; on the right hem of a shirt. In the left hem the opposite openings for fastener tongues on the underside are indicated by design stitching on the front Y.

FIG. 2 is a section of the right hem with fastener mounted. Dotted lines show mounting wings C, C, and lugs D, D, as inserted behind the hem X.

United States Patent ice FIG. 3 is a rear view of a section of left hem showing detailed arrangement of the opening for the fastener tongue.

FIG. 4 is a detailed front view of a section of left hem.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged composite view of the fastener, illustrating details of structure.

FIG. 6 is an exaggerated side view showing the three technical planes occupied by the fastener; indicated by vertical broken lines 1, 2 and 3.

FIG. 7 is a cut-away view of left hem with the fastener tongue A, in fastened position. Z indicates the parts cut away; namely, a hole in fabric of shirt, and a portion of the decorative hem D.

FIG. 8 is a view of a shirt when fasten-ed, illustrating concealment of fasteners, and paneled effect.

Referring to the drawings and to enable a more complete understanding of the invention, an explanation of certain of the terminology used hereinafter is deemed appropriate. The tongue is in effect a wire loop but used as a unit of which the tip or end may be described as of a tongue. Starting at A, sides extend to points V. This is the fastening part. The transfer leads are the wires leading from base of tongue V, to mounting wings, which begin at W, W. The transfer leads transfer the structure from plane #1 to plane #3 as shown in FIG. 6. They prevent friction of cloth when tongue is inserted for fastening; and in unfastening. They also lightly grip the fastening hem at points N where they cross under the tongue. They also transfer spring action to the mounting wings.

The mounting wings extend from W, W, to G, G and are named from purpose and appearance. These parts expand outward by spring action longitudinally against bar-tacking B, B, FIG. 2; maintaining the lugs, D, D, inserted into openings 0, 0 FIG. 2.

The lugs are the projecting ends of the mounting wings. They are small loops developing at a right angle at G, G. This prevents entrance of cloth or stitching into them. By locking into the openings as explained above, the lugs keep the fastener mounted laterally.

In the drawing as shown in FIG. 5, structure of this fastener is symmetrical. A line approximately 6 long represents the length of wire to construct one fastener. This line is formed into U shape from its middle. The bottom of this U, A, is a half-circle in diameter. The sides extending upward are turned inward /8" above the bottom of the U, at V, then immediately downward inside the U and slightly back 5 Just above the bottom of the U the lines curve outward, cross under at N, N, and continue outward for about 7 to W, W; then upward at about a 20 degree angle outward, ending in loops'of about As diameter, D, D.

The three technical planes occupied by this fastener are shown in FIG. 6. First, the mounting wings and lugs, D and C, occupy plane #1. Besides extending longitudinally (from W, W, FIG. 5) they also extend back at these points about from the transfer leads T, which occupy the middle or interplane #2. Now forward about from opposite ends of transfer leads (V, FIG. 5), the tongue A is formed longitudinally and laterally in plane #3. The mounting hem (X, FIG. 2) enters laterally between pl-anes #1 and #2, as shown in FIG. 2. This leaves the tongue and transfer leads exposed with the tongue extending about Ms beyond edge S. In the space between the transfer leads and tongue, the fastening hem from edge W, FIG. 3, enters laterally, engaging the fastener tongue A, as shown in FIG. 7.

The fasteners are mounted at for instance 4" intervals, in the right hem. To form this hem, the raw or cut edge of the fabric Q, FIG. 2, is first folded back about Va" and stitched about from this fold for its full length. Now

this fold, or doubled lap, is again folded over from L to S, in the direction of arrow from U, FIG. 2. It is then stitched down between the openings M, FIG. 1; in the same edge, over the first stitching. These openings may be created by stitching in the bar-tacking B, B, FIG. 2. Now the base of this hem I is stitched in, making its width (X). This leaves about A" from I to L, as the leading edge for this hem. The gaps or openings M, FIGS. 1 and 2, are A" long. The first stitching mentioned, for the fold, will extend across these gaps; but obviously not attaching the main fabric therein. This stitching P, FIG. 2, maintains edge of hem. The bar-tacking mentioned above does not extend completely across this hem. This leaves a pair of oppositely placed openings 0, 0, FIG. 2-, of about 2" in each corner of the gap over base I.

To apply or mount the fastener, as compared to sewing on a button, a fastener is held between thumb and forefinger; lightly squeezing the mounting wings (C, C, FIG. 5) together enough to enter the opening M, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and pushed in until the lugs D, D, have entered the openings 0, O, as shown in FIG. 2; thus mounting the fastener ready for use. Spring action of the mounting wings outward, extending longitudinally in this hem thus maintains the lateral position of the fastener between the bar-tackings B, B, as shown in FIG. 2. This combination of mounting hem design and fastener structure is claimed as invention.

The left hem is arranged for the joining, or fastening to. To prepare this hem as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a fold is first made about 3" from the unbound edge. It is then stitched the full length, from this fold. Now this doubled lap is folded from F, in the direction of arrow from U, FIG. 4, and stitched down at I, leaving the decorative lap from I to L, FIGS. 3 and 4 as leading edge for this hem. Now the decorative hem must be temporarily folded aside while edge W of the fastening hem (R, FIG. 3) is stitched down at H. This stitching is done over the first stitching mentioned above; but ending each side of the gaps as shown at N, FIG. 3 and Y, FIG. 1. These gaps are to be marked before decorative hem is folded back in place, in order to limit the stitching from them. They are A" wide or that length in the hem. The decorative hem is then folded back in place, and the cut edge Q is folded under at D, as in FIGS. 3 and 4, and stitched down as at S. Now the bar-tacking B, B, is added, through these hems; fastening on underside and decorative in front, extending completely across from longitudinal stitchings I to S. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 this creates a panelled effect with the divisions Y, between panels P, FIG. 1 indicating the spot on the underside for entering the fastener tongues, to fasten. The fastener is concealed when fastened; as illustrated in FIG. 8.

Fastening and unfastening is done simply by hooking and unhooking; a fastener, mounted in right hem, is taken between thumb and forefinger and the tongue of the fastener is inserted completely into the oppositely placed opening on the underside of left hem as indicated on the front at Y, FIG. 1, and N, FIG. 3. This insertion is illustrated in FIG. 7. To unfasten, the fastener tongue is simply withdrawn therefrom.

The foregoing detailed description including the dimensions relates specifically to the incorporation of the fastener into a shirt. The dimensions and manner of forming the hems may be varied for different garments. For example, the fastener may be employed in any garment by the installation of a web tape which may be sewn onto original hems with the tape being prepared as described hereinbefore in connection with the shirt hems. Conventional hems employed on shirt fronts are essentially the same as disclosed in the above invention but not exactly as the hems employed in conjunction with this invention. As in a button-type fastener assembly, the fastener of this invention attaches to and remains'on the right hem of a shirt front. The left hem of the shirt front is constructed for the tongue of the fasteners to actually hook into which will provide a shirt front having a neater and more attractive appearance, due to the absence of visible button holes and buttons and due to the fact that the fastening action is extended for a greater vertical dimension than is the fastening action of a button.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A garment fastener for retaining overlapping garment edges in connected relation, said fastener comprising a tongue, a pair of transfer leads connected to the tongue in laterally offset relation thereto, means on each of the transfer leads for engaging one portion of a garment with the tongue adapted to engage an overlapping portion of a garment, said tongue being in the form of a substantially U-shaped resilient rod, said transfer leads being of a resilient rod and said engaging means on the transfer leads being a resilient rod, said fastener being of one-piece construction with the ends of the U-shaped tongue having the transfer leads extending inwardly and downwardly in relation thereto for a relative short distance and then outwardly and downwardly in relation thereto with the leads being spaced rearwardly of the tongue at the point of intersection therebetween, said engaging means on the transfer leads including an arm extending upwardly and outwardly from the bottom end of each the transfer leads in a plane slightly rearwardly thereof and in upwardly diverging relation to each other with the ends of the arms terminating in inwardly opening loops offset from the arms for engagement with the side edges of a pocket provided therefor.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said bight portion of the U-shaped tongue is smoothly rounded and adapted to extend away from the free edge of an underlying portion of a garment for receiving the inner edge of an inwardly opening pocket formed in an overlying edge of a garment.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said transfer leads are of substantially the same length as the tongue and joined with the arms in a smoothly curved juncture generally in an alignment with the bight portion of the tongue, said arms being longer than the tongue and transfer leads with the loops being disposed beyond the juncture between the transfer leads and tongue to facilitate gripping of the loops and squeezing them toward each other for insertion into a pocket on a garment whereby release of the loops will anchor the fastener in the pocket.

4. In combination with a garment having free overlapping edges, a fastener for releasably retaining the edges of the garment in overlapping relation with the fastener concealed from observation from the exterior of the garment, said garment including a pocket on the underside of the overlying edge opening away from the free edge thereof and a pocket on the underlying edge opening away from the free edge thereof, said fastener including a one-piece resilient rod including a tongue having a rounded free end and side members extending to the base end thereof, a pair of transfer leads extending from the base ends of the side members of the tongue toward the rounded free end thereof, each of said transfer leads terminating in a mounting wing, said wings being joined to the transfer leads in a curved juncture spaced laterally from the rounded free end of the tongue, each wing being in the form of an arm extending toward the base end of the tongue in diverging relation to each other and terminating in free ends normally spaced apart a distance less than the width of the pocket on the underlying edge of the garment whereby the free ends of the arm may be inserted into the pocket when the free ends of the arms are squeezed together for anchoring the fastener to the pocket in the underlying edge when the free ends of the arms are released, the tongue being disposed along the outer surface of the free edge of the underlying garment with the free end facing away from the free edge for hooking engagement with the inwardly opening pocket on the overlying edge of the garment.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein the free ends of the arms terminate in outwardly offset loops for securely engaging the interior surfaces of the pocket on the underlying edge of the garment.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein said tongue is generally U-shaped, said transfer leads curving References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 550,274 11/ 1895 Johnson 24261 1,590,985 6/ 1926 Scallen 24230.5 1,865,590 7/1932 Sacerdote 24261 RICHARD J. SCANLAN, JR., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 2-96; 24261 

